Film and Video

Through the Askwith Media Library, we collect audiovisual media that supports research and teaching for the entire campus. We maintain a collection that includes feature films, documentaries, animated films, and educational programs in a variety of formats, as well as provide access to streaming video databases.

In building the collection, we pay special attention to the needs of students and scholars, and strive to provide a diverse range of titles that are timely, academically relevant, and/or culturally significant. We add titles based on thoughtful collection curation and direct requests from the U-M Ann Arbor community. 

Historically, we acquired physical media formats including 16 mm film, ¾” Umatic videocassette tape, VHS videocassette tape, and laserdisc. We currently acquire DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

History of the collection

U-M established the Visual Education Bureau in 1939 and added the Audio-Visual Education Center in 1948. The center produced filmstrips, audiotapes and films for use both within and outside the university. It also conducted a large and active rental operation. 

In 1978, the AV Center and university’s TV Center combined to create Michigan Media, which continued to serve a national clientele through its rental service and provide materials to support faculty in U-M classes. Renamed the Film and Video Library (FVL), it became part of the University Library in 1987.

We discontinued the 16 mm film rental operation in 1992 and shifted focus to instructional support for U-M faculty. In June 2005, the FVL moved to a larger, more accommodating space in the Shapiro Library and became the Askwith Media Library. The library was named in honor of a gift to the library from U-M alum Bertram J. Askwith.